What is a Pretty Pleater?

A Pretty Pleater is ...

A staple item for miniaturists and doll artists everywhere since 1983, the Pretty Pleat Pleater by D. Anne Ruff helps you pleat fabrics in a variety of ways for curtains, draperies, dust ruffles, doll clothes, and much more!

The pleater comes in 3 different pleat sizes as well as double and triple sized pleating mats. Once you use this wonderful tool, you'll soon want more than one! Complete instructions with easy to follow diagrams are included with each pleater. This versatile and durable pleater is heat molded from natural rubber and is therefore not affected by the heat of an iron or steam, used in the pleating process. The pleater can be kept clean by occasional washing with soap and water.

The pleating process is simple. Fabric is pressed into the grooves with rigid plastic cards and/or the wood slat included with the pleater. The resulting pleats are then held in place by heat, steam, liquid spray starch or a fusible backing. There are no fabric restrictions for use in the pleaters. Whatever works is fine! However, natural fabrics like 100% cotton or silk work best, Polyester or nylon tends to be quite "springy," but poly/cotton blends work well. Smaller scale projects require fabric that is as thin and finely woven as possible. Prints should be tiny and colors more subdued to appear in proper scale. Sheer fabrics may be chosen from bridal or curtain departments of fabric shops. Ribbons and laces may be successfully pleated if they are not too thick or bulky.

Test your fabric and practice the pleating technique before beginning a project ... then have fun!